IT Glossary: computer jargon explained A - C

We make every effort to speak to our customers in jargon free terms.  Unfortunately some IT concepts and words simply can't be translated and their use in IT project documentation is esential.  To help you make sense of these documents we have created this jargon buster.  If you come across new jargon, please tell us and we'll add it to the list!

ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A method of achieving a broadband connection to the Internet, using BT phone lines. The service is called “asymmetric” because the upload speed is different (lower) than the download speed. This is acceptable because most users download much more data than they upload.  See also SDSL.

Adware
You probably won’t know that you have adware until it starts to display banners or popup adverts on your computer. Adware is software that is automatically installed on your PV when you visit some websites, or it may b a hidden part of downloads. Adware can affect the performance and reliability of your computer. It may also record your browsing preferences and which keys you press on the keyboard, and report them back to advertisers – if it does this it becomes spyware.

Antivirus
This is software that protects your computer from viruses. It is usually sold as part of a subscription so that it can be regularly updated to deal with new viruses. If it is not regularly updated then it ceases to become useful because new viruses are being written all the time.

Back-up
Back-ups are copies of your files stored separately in a safe place. If something happens to your computer and your files become lost or damaged, then you can use the back-ups to restore the information in your files.

For effective back-ups you need to consider the possible risks to your computer. What would happen if the computer became damaged ,  lost or stolen ? What files would you need to get you back working effectively again ? How often do you need to make back-ups so that you would be able to restore your files quickly ?

Many people back-up their current files at the end of the day, then back-up all recent files at the end of each week. Make sure you also back-up any customised software that you would not easily be able to re-install.

Consider where you put your back-up files. Storing them on your computer would not be a good idea as they would be lost with the computer of it was stolen  or damaged. Back-up files should be stored separately, away from the computer, and preferably in a secure place.

Check also that the back-up is working correctly. Run a system recovery drill occasionally by pretending that your computer has become damaged and that you need to recover some files. Can you find the files on your back-up ? Do you have all the data you need ?

BIOS
Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS is an integral part of a computer system and it is designed to link with your operating system (such as Windows XP). It tells the operating system, for example, which disk drives there are and how to access them. It also holds the date and time settings of your machine. IT professionals may need to change the BIOS, but most people wisely keep well away from it.

Bluetooth
A wireless technology used to connect devices that are close together. The system uses short-range radio signals to transfer data from one source to another. Often used with mobile phones, digital cameras, and laptops. Very good for avoiding poor connections or where cables might get in the way, but a cable connection may be faster if you are transferring large files like videos or music.

Bmp
If you receive an attachment with a name like “anything.bmp” then you can expect it to be a picture. “Bmp” is a shortened form of “BitMaP”. Bitmaps are graphics files used by Windows. Bitmaps are good for storing detailed images where the actual file size is not an issue.

Broadband
An Internet connection that is always on (i.e. always connected) and is much faster than dial-up connections that rely on a traditional telephone line.

Browser
A program that allows you to visit and view the content of websites on the Internet. The browser converts the information from the webpage into the pictures and text that you are familiar with. The most common browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) because it comes bundled with Windows on most PCs. Alternative browsers are available that do the same job including Firefox, Opera, and Sahara.

Bug
A problem, usually in a program, the prevents it from running properly. Bugs are often fixed in later updates of the same software. Bugs often arise due to the complex nature of programs and the vast number of different ways a program may be used. The program writers try to predict all possible uses of the program but might miss some combination of circumstances that causes the program to fail – and this is reported as a bug. It is sometimes possible to workaround a bug by avoiding a particular set of circumstances.

Cache
A temporary storage area in the computer’s memory for frequently or recently used data. This storage area can usually be accessed faster than other storage areas therefore it allows the computer to access information held in the cache very quickly, should you need it again. For example, if you go back to a website that you have recently visited your PC will usually display the content of that website from a cache on the PC’s hard disk. This means you don’t need to download all the information from the Internet again and the page will display more quickly.

CD-ROM
Compact Disc Read Only Memory. This is a CD whose contents can be read (or played) but not written or changed. Most software is supplied on CD-ROMs.

CDR
Compact Disc Recordable. This is a CD onto which you can record, or write, data once only. After data had been written the CD effectively becomes a CD-ROM. This is useful for storing data that you wish to keep and do not intend to change (e.g. archive copies). See also CDRW, DVDR, DVDRW.

Client
A computer or program that is connected to, and obtains services from, a server. The client can usually download files from the server and run software that is stored on the server. See also thin client.

CMYK
Cyan, Maganta, Yellow, Keystone black. These are the basic ink colours used by most colour printers.  True colours are obtained by mixing or overlaying fine dots of these basic colours.

Codec
Coder Decoder. This is a piece of software used to encode or decode a digital data stream, such as the output from a video or audio device. It is necessary to install codecs on your computer to play back video or audio files.

Cookie
A small data file stored on your computer by a website. It stores your preferences for that website and allows these to be recalled next time you visit that website, speeding up the process. For example, a cookie may store your username and password for a particular website to save you entering it every time you visit the site.

CPU
Central Processing Unit. This is the electronic chip at the heart of the computer – the “brain” if you like. It is also often just referred to as the processor. Note that the main “box” the makes up the computer is not the CPU – the CPU is only one small part inside this box.

CRM
Customer Relationshio Management. CRM software lets you manage information you hold about your clients and contacts, and to share it with colleagues.

CRT
Cathode Ray Tube. This device describes the technology which, until recently, was used for most televisions and computer monitors. CRT devices are rapidly being replaced by LCD screens which are much slimmer, lighter, and consume less power.